Bipolar Support Group

Is anybody else feeling anxiety and having mood swings because of Thanksgiving? I am having all kinds of anxiety because a lot of people are on vacation at work, and knowing that I will be going to my sister's tomorrow. None of them understand me and they show no compassion. They assume I can handle anything that is put on me because I have done so well with things in the past. Is anyone else having similiar problems?

I was obessing over obsessing but decided that it would be easier to just let it go. So I'm not stressing as much as I should. Just gonna let things go and work itself out.

i already gave - gobble gobble

I am new to the group. My name is Erica. I usually get moody around my family because of the expectations there, too. I feel like my mom and dad expect me to be this pretty little girl because I once was before I was bipolar. They expect that because I put a lot of expectations on myself and I have been able to keep them before. But now I put less on myself and I feel much better. I know what you mean, though about your mood changing over the holidays. I felt pretty empty yesterday when I was hanging around them and I think it was because I put expectation on them to meet my needs and they can't. I think counting your blessings and giving yourself a break could really help cheer you up over the holidays. I need to do that too!!!

Post edited by: butterfly1, at: 11/26/2008 12:46

Welcome to the group butterfly!

I was wondering the same. Can someone provide some clarity regarding the holidays and mood swings for people with Bipolar Disorder? We've been dealing with some MAJOR issues that all center on holidays/birthdays/etc. it seems.

first of all welcome butterfly1! Thanksgiving doesn't and Christmas used to be really hard for me because I always felt like the black sheep of the family and I would just go and sit in a corner at family gatherings. I hated the holidays... but since I have been medicated, I can actually have a good time with my family.

Welcome to the group butterfly1!! Glad that you are here.

I am so stressing over the holidays. Thanksgiving right now of course. I hate the holidays. No one understands me.

Big holidays always stress me out. I'm working Thanksgiving this year so that I'm guaranteed Christmas off which I'm going home for. 40 or so family members all in my parents house dressed up for prime rib and wine.... I get so tense and anxious. My survival trick is drinking and practically chain smoking in the garage. For me, it's not the holiday itself... it's everyone getting together, the sheer high of everyone's moods get to me. Maybe it's like... a happy overload that my brain is unable to process.

I don't know.

It's something that I've thought about and I've always been this way, even as a kid. Big groups are just to chaotic for me.

I did not volunteer to have Thanksgiving at my house this year as I have done in some years past. THAT took a great load off of me. My problem is that my sister (whose house we're going to) lives a ways away from us and we have to take the highway to get to her house. Driving on the highway (or being a passenger) makes me very anxious.

I also stress about being around my family. They all know about my issues, but they ignore them and just pretend everything is normal. My dad is the only one who ever asks how I'm doing.